Mom Interviews

Member Close-Up: Kate

Works as an IT Project Manager

Each week, we introduce you to another member here at Work It, Mom!; this week, we chat with Kate, who lives in Virgnia with her husband and their 1-year-old son.

1.) What do you do?

I am an IT Project Manager.

2.) How did you end up in your current career?

I started with internships at large corporations when I was in high school, which lead to others in college and eventually full time work in IT! It helps that my family is pretty techie geeky.

3.) What's your dream job?

I have to pick one? I have so many! The only constant theme is that they are my own. One day I will run my own company(ies)! I am interested in everything from event planning and bridal salons to political research services and everything in between!

4.) Tell us a few things on your Life To-Do List.

Run a mile. See the United States via RV with no agenda but to stop at what looks interesting until we get bored! Start a couple of businesses. Learn to paint. Learn to play the guitar and piano (again!).

5.) What's for you the toughest challenge when it comes to juggling work and family?

My toughest challenge is prioritizing. I am always trying to figure out which things are more important than others as one will undoubtedly lose and not get done! For example, on a rcent weekend the house needed some serious cleaning, but it was so nice on Sunday that we decided to go to the park and enjoy the day. The dust bunnies will be there, but the day wouldn’t last forever! More difficult priority decisions include leaving the office at night – will I really finish up this work tonight after 9 p.m. so I can have dinner with my husband and son, or is it actually better to forego dinner, finish my work, and get to bed at a reasonable hour? Some days dinner wins, some days work wins! The tricky part is figuring out the priorities and act on them in a limited timeframe. One lesson I learned the hard way was to just make the decision and run with it as contemplating both for too long defeats the purpose and I lose out on both. While figuring out the prioritization is the toughest part, I have to say it is what makes my life manageable and happy!

Kate, I'll bet you'll reach that mile mark this year. I want to do the RV thing, too! Let's make sure we go through each other's towns so we can finally meet. And run a mile together (run at the mouth, that is!!).